12 Second Culture: Human Performance in NASCAR Pit Crews

MOPs & MOEs

This episode offers an awesome lens into a really unique corner of the human performance world: NASCAR pit crews. These teams perform physically and cognitively demanding tasks under highly stressful conditions where speed and teamwork are both vital. Our guests are not only accomplished pit crew athletes in their own right, but also coaches who have led teams to achieve at the highest levels.

Shaun Peet and Mike Metcalf are the co-founders DECK Leadership and co-authors of 12 Second Culture. They are working to transforming the modern workplace by uncovering opportunities for Diversity, Efficiency, Culture, and Kindness rooted in the principles of a pit crew experience. Together they have over 25 years of experience in NASCAR and have worked with many Fortune 500 companies. They are Co-Head Pit Crew Coaches and Directors of Culture and Community at Trackhouse Racing.

Shaun played hockey in the Ivy League at Dartmouth College, where he picked up a double major in Psychology and Sociology. He then played eight years in the minor leagues. A chance meeting with a fan then afforded him an opportunity to work in NASCAR as a Jackman on a pit crew for the next 12 years where he was a part of the Red Bull Racing Crew that won the 2008 World Pit Crew Championships.

Mike was a fullback for Appalachian State University football and then entered the world of motorsports in 2006 as a member of a NASCAR Pit Crew. In addition to competing he started coaching in 2012. He's also very engaged with several volunteering efforts in his community.

Tune in to find out what principles they use to build elite pit crew teams, and how this episode only came to be thanks to chance meeting following a car wreck in a tiny French village.

You can order their book 12 Second Culture here.